Its Not Easy Following

Who am I? What does it mean to be me?

What does it mean to be me?

What does the label Christian mean?

How have I been defining it?

Do I need to define it differently?

think understood this proclivity we have to misunderstand our identity as God’s children when we come to a relationship with Christ.

Jesus absolutely did and today we are going to study Jesus’ teaching for us

After my junior year of college I was working at a summer camp called Summersalt (anyone been?) I was asking these questions of myself because I was frustrated with my identity as a christian.

Those 4 questions were not coming together for me but the passage we are going to study today helped clarify my ideas and gave me hope.

I don’t like being wrong, but I felt there was something that I was not getting. I was sincere in wanting to understand and I was sincere in wanting something to change. I came to the conclusion that I was not getting something. But I did not know what I was not getting.

Frustration is a good test that there is something that we don’t understand

think understood this proclivity we have to misunderstand our identity as God’s children when we come to a relationship with Christ.

Jesus absolutely did understand and today we are going to study Jesus’ teaching for us that gives us more clarity in our identity -

3 would-be followers and 3 teaching moments

Has anyone ever told you the truth? I mean like for real?

Our text for today is and we will be talking about the “Essential Characteristics of Discipleship to Jesus” (Title). Let us read the scripture together (Text).

A disciple is a follower. A follower is someone who has placed their faith in someone.

Today a follower is one who seeks to emulate his teacher in some way. The typical person, Christian or not, follows on their own terms.

For example we may try a method of exercise as long as it suits us. We look to another person for financial advice, that is, until it doesn’t work. We treat relationship or parenting advice as a la carte options. For some our following is manifested in the little bits of our lives that we leave to someone else to direct because we believe they’ve done a particular thing “the right way.” In this scenario people seldom care or think about the means those we follow employ, only the results. When we care only about the results, we believe that the actions, or steps taken, are of little importance—all that matters is what we get from them. We “paint by number” to have the picture look as we wish. It is to this tendency that Jesus speaks in this passage.

These three people are not unlike us. They, like many of today’s Christians, have very different ideas about what discipleship to Jesus means than does Jesus.

Acts 26:29 NASB95

And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”

Luke 9:57–58 NASB95

As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Luke 9:57 NASB95

As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.”

Luke 9:

IDENTITY CHARACTERISTIC #1: The Disciple is an Alien (v.57-58)

an alien/foreign national is someone whose home is somewhere else, but who still seeks to be a good citizen of the place where he lives

John 8:23 NASB95

And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.

Choosing to follow Christ on his terms means that we change our citizenship to a kingdom of love acceptance and grace

CHARACTERISTIC #1: The Disciple Is an Alien (v.57-58)

Colossians 1:28 NASB95

We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.

Colossians 1:18 NASB95

He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

Colossians 1:13 NASB95

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

Colossians 1:13–14 NASB95

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus was an alien, a sojourner, during his 33 years of walking on this earth. An alien is also who we will be if we indeed follow him.

Jesus was an alien, a sojourner, during his 33 years of walking on this earth. An alien is also who we will be if we indeed follow him.

Jesus was an alien, a sojourner, during his 33 years of walking on this earth. An alien is also who we will be if we indeed follow him.

We often seek to participate in the Christian life only in the areas and responsibilities we are comfortable doing and most often as a means to our own selfish ends.

Jesus was an alien, a sojourner, during his 33 years of walking on this earth. An alien is also who we will be if we indeed follow him. We often seek to participate in the Christian life only in the areas and responsibilities we are comfortable doing and most often as a means to our own selfish ends. “He [Christ] said to them, ‘You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world’” ( ESV). When Christ calls us to follow him, he wants us to understand that we will be like him in every way, and here he is stressing a way—a lifestyle—that we may not like—especially if we are fond of our place in this world. The prospective disciple appears eager. “I will follow.” Jesus says, “Remember, this is your path.” The disciple says, “Wherever you go.” Jesus says, “What about here?” We are strangers to Jesus when we claim residence in this world. The picture of the animals nestled snug in their beds while God is homeless in his creation is a jarring picture that is included in the gospel for this reason. Jesus distinguishes those at home in the world from those at home with Him.

When Christ calls us to follow him, he wants us to understand that we will be like him in every way, and here he is stressing a way—a lifestyle—that we may not like—especially if we are fond of our place in this world. We are strangers to Jesus when we claim residence in this world.

This prospective disciple appears eager. “I will follow, where ever you go.” Jesus says, “Are you ok with following an outcast in this world - (looking around) this place is not home to me!” “But I will be the best father, teacher you have ever had. For I will really care for you.

The picture of the animals nestled snug in their beds while God is homeless in his creation is a jarring picture that is included in the gospel for this reason. Jesus wants distinguish those at home in the world from those at home with Him.

As our identities seek to find a suitable host in this world we will continue to be frustrated.

Luke 9:59–60 NASB95

And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”

IDENTITY CHARACTERISTIC #2: The Disciple has a job/ task to do that is more important than anything else(v.59-60)

CHARACTERISTIC #2: The Disciple has a job/ task (v.59-60)

Colossians 1:18 NASB95

He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

If you made a list of all the things that you needed to do today? Would any of them be things that were important to God?

when someone asks me if I can do something, I often make the terrible joke that sure, I can add it to the list of things that I am already not doing. I cannot do that too.

In this era man is busier than in times past, driving us to make decisions based on perceived value to us: this is more important than that, but not as important as this other thing.

In these verses Jesus calls a man to join Him on His journey. The man replies, “Only let me first do this other important thing.” We most often decide between two mostly unimportant things, but this young man is asked to choose between two very important things.

The man replies, “Only let me first do this other important thing.” We most often decide between two mostly unimportant things, but this young man is asked to choose between two very important things.

Jesus is seeking to differentiate his administration from all others by contrasting the task of a disciple with the task a devout Jew is obligated to complete, and he’s indicating that Jesus’ calling is more important.

To follow Christ is to have one aim. One cannot aim at two targets. To follow Christ is to understand what one’s business is.

I am a student, I am a Dad, I am a sorority sister, I am a worship leader. Our culture defines us by what we do. My intention generally was to get “my” stuff done, have some fun, try not to be too uncool and fit Jesus stuff in when I can.

The Christ follower who has a job does not do the job when they have time, they are a Christ Follower at the job. Our identities as Christ followers does not negate responsibilities, it only places priority

God is asking you think of yourself differently, to think of him and others before you think of yourself. “Proclaiming the Kingdom” is what we do in word and deed, in the midst of our responsibilities.

The job that Jesus gives takes precedence when conflicting with another competing claim. The national guardsman is always on duty and when he gets called up, he goes to where he is called

To follow Jesus is to be counted among His children. One cannot have two fathers. Your father is the one whom you listen to.

Jesus asks, “Which is the son who does the will of the father?” The answer is the first. Obedience at its base level is faith. As one has faith, one does.

Man is obedient to what he believes. Faith is not something conjured but rather something given.

Lot’s wife looked back on her deliverance. The rich young ruler walked away sad because he had much wealth. The disobedient son did not do what he said he would do. They each lacked the necessary faith to go the distance. The person without faith is not useful in God’s Kingdom.

As a disciple is of Christ, he is of the Christ’s kingdom and the disciple is cleared only for kingdom duty.

Luke 9:61–62 NASB95

Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

IDENTITY CHARACTERISTIC #3: The Disciple Is fully available for the task (v.61-62)

How many of you are committed to your top that you have on today (see what I did there? Most guys would say shirt…I am learning)?

How many of you are committed to your major?

How many of us are familiar with the concept of mostly unavailable?

fitness is a state of being suitable to fulfill a particular task or role

Jesus characterizes a person who is not prepared to go the distance available for the kingdom in the kingdom of God as one who, when he puts his hand to the plow, looks back.

tells a parable about two sons and their father, who asks each one to go into the field to work. One son does the work after initially saying no, while the other does not do the work after he said he would.

Jesus asks, “Which is the son who does the will of the father?” The answer is the first. Obedience at its base level is faith. As one has faith, one does.

Jesus characterizes a person who is not available for the kingdomin the kingdom of God as one who, when he puts his hand to the plow, looks back. tells a parable about two sons and their father, who asks each one to go into the field to work. One son does the work after initially saying no, while the other does not do the work after he said he would. Jesus asks, “Which is the son who does the will of the father?” The answer is the first. Obedience at its base level is faith. As one has faith, one does. Man is obedient to what he believes. Faith is not something conjured but rather something given. Lot’s wife looked back on her deliverance. The rich young ruler walked away sad because he had much wealth. The disobedient son did not do what he said he would do. They each lacked the necessary faith to go the distance. The person without faith is not useful in God’s Kingdom. Faith is steadfastness looking forward to the hope of the harvest. It is such as these that are fit for God’s Kingdom, these are set to plow untilled ground—both their own and others’.

Man is obedient to what he believes. Faith is not something conjured but rather something given.

Lot’s wife looked back on her deliverance. The rich young ruler walked away sad because he had much wealth. The disobedient son did not do what he said he would do. They each lacked the necessary faith to go the distance. The person without faith is not useful in God’s Kingdom.

As a disciple is of Christ, he is of the Christ’s kingdom and the disciple is cleared only for kingdom duty.

The person without faith is not useful in God’s Kingdom. Faith is steadfastness looking forward to the hope of the harvest. It is such as these that are fit for God’s Kingdom, these are set to plow untilled ground—both their own and others’.

SUMMATION

As we have looked together at three characteristics of being a disciple, it is exceedingly important that we look at how this affects us and our conceptions of a Christ follower.

Is what you are what we should be, per his expectations, and how do these characteristics match the reality that is your following Jesus (Proposition)?

Throughout the gospels Jesus gives commands such as “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself” ().

Those commands are possible for God's children, His followers, because they are possible for God alone. When we follow Jesus we trust Him, even while not yet knowing the full consequence.

The trust is the prerequisite. That trust or faith makes us a disciple by default, and a disciple or follower will be like his teacher ()—that is, if the follower actually follows and emulates Jesus.

Do Jesus’ words in seem harsh to you? He’s making a distinction where it matters. Jesus is saying, “If you would really follow Me, you will be an alien here.

If you would really follow Me you have another job to do that trumps all others. If you would follow Me—really follow Me—you better be prepared to go the distance. If you follow Me, you will be like Me in all these ways.

Because these characteristics are true of Me , they will be true of you…if you follow Me, in the way I mean.” He doesn’t want there to be any confusion. This is the reality of true discipleship, and if it doesn’t look like this, it isn't discipleship.

Here is His invitation to you.

Will you be a follower of Christ when you know exactly what it means? As we see every day in marketing campaigns and infomercials, the world often gives you an appealing deal just to get you in the door. Jesus is no pitch man. He is not trying to make His call to follow him palatable.

In love, He wants you to know what it means to be His disciple by clearly showing you the results of following Him. The results are a life that is not your own. You will be living as an alien, doing that which is not what everyone else is doing and you have to be willing to do it during the additional time you have left.

He doesn't call you to be anything that He isn’t. He doesn’t call you do anything that He has not done first Himself. He calls you to be like Him, to love like Him, to give like Him, to receive like Him.

In these stories the prospective disciples are not discouraged from following. He only corrects their understanding so that there is no confusion. We are not told the conclusion of these three stories.

INVITATION

God seeks a response to His declarations, and I ask you to respond in one of two ways. First, if you have not heeded Christ’s call to follow Him, I invite you to put your trust ultimately in Him.

Become His child and His student, understanding that it will require repentance and denunciation of all other teachers. Jesus is your Savior and Lord if you are His disciple.

Secondly, for those who have placed their faith in Christ but have not engaged in true discipleship to Him, we want to extend Jesus’ same invitation. This is not rededication or correcting a lordship issue.

It is simply being obedient to God's word. We as believers hear the truth of God's word as a rebuke when the truth of His word does not match the reality of our lives.

Sometimes the rebuke is a result of misunderstanding and sometimes of disobedience. But when truth is presented, as it has been today, we have two options.

We can harden our hearts further to Christ, who is asking for our immediate response. But we can also do as the Israelites did in and as David did in response to Nathan’s rebuke of his sin. We can respond to God’s word by repenting and following in obedience. How would God have you respond?